Apparatuses, computer readable medium, and method for multi-user request-to-send channel access in a wireless local-area network

ABSTRACT

Methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media for MU-RTS and CTS are disclosed. An apparatus of a high-efficiency wireless local-area network (HEW) master station is disclosed. The HEW master station including processing circuitry configured to generate a packet to indicate a multi-user request-to-send (MU-RTS) and to indicate channels on which one or more HEW stations are to transmit a clear-to-send (CTS). The HEW master station further including a transceiver configured to transmit the packet to the one or more HEW stations, and receive clear-to-send responses to the packet on the one or more channels. An apparatus of a HEW station is also disclosed. The HEW station including circuitry configured to receive a packet that indicates a MU-RTS that indicates channels on which the HEW station is to transmit a CTS, and to determine whether to send the CTS.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 119(e) toU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/152,110, filed Apr. 24,2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers(IEEE) 802.11. Some embodiments relate to high-efficiency wirelesslocal-area networks (HEWs). Some embodiments relate to IEEE 802.11ax.Some embodiments relate to multi-user request-to-send (MU-RTS) andclear-to-send (CTS). Some embodiments relate to MU-RTS with availabilityreports. Some embodiments relate to reallocating downlink resourcesbased on a bandwidth availability report prior to a trigger frame. Someembodiments relate to bandwidth indication frames and/or bandwidthavailability triggers.

BACKGROUND

Efficient use of the resources of a wireless local-area network (WLAN)is important to provide bandwidth and acceptable response times to theusers of the WLAN. However, often there are many devices trying to sharethe same resources and the devices may interfere with one another.Additionally, it may be difficult for wireless devices to be aware ofresources available to other wireless devices. Moreover, wirelessdevices may need to operate with both newer protocols and with legacydevice protocols.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which likereferences indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless network in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a method of MU-RTS and MU-CTS in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates methods of transmitting CTS responses in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate methods of transmitting CTS responses in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates a method of transmitting CTS responses in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates bandwidth indication signaling in accordance withsome embodiments;

FIG. 10 illustrates of a method of transmitting CTSs in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method for sending a trigger frame in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 12 illustrates a method for a bandwidth availability report inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 13 illustrates a method for a bandwidth availability report inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 14 illustrates examples of a bandwidth availability report inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 15 illustrates a method for a bandwidth availability report inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 16 illustrates a bandwidth availability report in accordance withsome embodiments;

FIG. 17 illustrates that the bandwidth availability trigger may betransmitted after the MU-RTS in accordance with some embodiments; and

FIG. 18 illustrates a HEW station in accordance with some embodiments.

DESCRIPTION

The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustratespecific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practicethem. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical,process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodimentsmay be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments.Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalentsof those claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a WLAN 100 in accordance with some embodiments. TheWLAN may comprise a basis service set (BSS) 100 that may include amaster station 102, which may be an AP, a plurality of high-efficiencywireless (HEW) (e.g., IEEE 802.11ax) STAs 104 and a plurality of legacy(e.g., IEEE 802.11n/ac) devices 106.

The master station 102 may be an AP using the IEEE 802.11 to transmitand receive. The master station 102 may be a base station. The masterstation 102 may use other communications protocols as well as the IEEE802.11 protocol. The IEEE 802.11 protocol may be IEEE 802.11ax. The IEEE802.11 protocol may include using orthogonal frequency divisionmultiple-access (OFDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), and/orcode division multiple access (CDMA). The IEEE 802.11 protocol mayinclude a multiple access technique. For example, the IEEE 802.11protocol may include space-division multiple access (SDMA) and/ormultiple-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO).

The legacy devices 106 may operate in accordance with one or more ofIEEE 802.11 a/g/ag/n/ac, or another legacy wireless communicationstandard. The legacy devices 106 may be STAs or IEEE STAs.

The HEW STAs 104 may be wireless transmit and receive devices such ascellular telephone, smart telephone, handheld wireless device, wirelessglasses, wireless watch, wireless personal device, tablet, or anotherdevice that may be transmitting and receiving using the IEEE 802.11protocol such as IEEE 802.11ax or another wireless protocol. In someembodiments, the HEW STAs 104 may be termed high efficiency (HE)stations.

The BSS 100 may operate on a primary channel and one or more secondarychannels or sub-channels. The BSS 100 may include one or more masterstations 102. In accordance with some embodiments, the master station102 may communicate with one or more of the HEW devices 104 on one ormore of the secondary channels or sub-channels or the primary channel.In accordance with some embodiments, the master station 102 communicateswith the legacy devices 106 on the primary channel. In accordance withsome embodiments, the master station 102 may be configured tocommunicate concurrently with one or more of the HEW STAs 104 on one ormore of the secondary channels and a legacy device 106 utilizing onlythe primary channel and not utilizing any of the secondary channels.

The master station 102 may communicate with legacy devices 106 inaccordance with legacy IEEE 802.11 communication techniques. In exampleembodiments, the master station 102 may also be configured tocommunicate with HEW STAs 104 in accordance with legacy IEEE 802.11communication techniques. Legacy IEEE 802.11 communication techniquesmay refer to any IEEE 802.11 communication technique prior to IEEE802.11ax.

In some embodiments, a HEW frame may be configurable to have the samebandwidth as a sub-channel. In some embodiments a sub-channel may have abandwidth of one of the following: 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz, 160 MHz,320 MHz contiguous bandwidths or an 80+80 MHz (160 MHz) non-contiguousbandwidth. In some embodiments, a sub-channel may have a bandwidth of 1MHz, 1.25 MHz, 2.0 MHz, 2.02 MHz, 2.5 MHz, 5 MHz and 10 MHz, or acombination thereof or another bandwidth that is less or equal to theavailable bandwidth, may also be used.

In some embodiments the bandwidth of the subchannels are multiples of 26(e.g., 26, 52, 104, etc.) tones that are spaced by 20 MHz or 256 tonessub-channels. In some embodiments the sub-channels are multiple of 26tones or a multiple of 20 MHz. In some embodiments a 20 MHz sub-channelmay comprise 256 tones for a 256 point Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). AHEW frame may be configured for transmitting a number of spatialstreams, which may be in accordance with MU-MIMO.

In some embodiments a basic allocation or resource unit may be 26 or 242subcarriers and the channels and sub-channels may be comprised of anumber of the basic resource units. In some embodiments the basicallocation or resource unit may be a different number of subcarrierssuch as 24 to 256. In some embodiments there may be one or more leftover subcarriers in a channel or sub-channel in addition to a number ofthe basic resource units.

In other embodiments, the master station 102, HEW STA 104, and/or legacydevice 106 may also implement different technologies such as codedivision multiple access (CDMA) 2000, CDMA 2000 1×, CDMA 2000Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), Interim Standard 2000 (IS-2000),Interim Standard 95 (IS-95), Interim Standard 856 (IS-856), Long TermEvolution (LIE), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), EnhancedData rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), GSM EDGE (GERAN), IEEE 802.16(i.e., WirelessMAN or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access(WiMAX®)), BlueTooth®, or other technologies.

Some embodiments relate to HEW communications. In accordance with someIEEE 802.11ax embodiments, a master station 102 may operate as a masterstation which may be arranged to contend for a wireless medium (e.g.,during a contention period) to receive exclusive control of the mediumfor an HEW control period. In some embodiments, the HEW control periodmay be termed a transmission opportunity (TXOP). The master station 102may transmit a HEW master-sync transmission, which may be a triggerframe or HEW control and schedule transmission, at the beginning of theHEW control period. The master station 102 may transmit a time durationof the TXOP and sub-channel information. During the HEW control period,HEW STAs 104 may communicate with the master station 102 in accordancewith a non-contention based multiple access technique such as OFDMA orMU-MIMO. This is unlike conventional WLAN communications in whichdevices communicate in accordance with a contention-based communicationtechnique, rather than a multiple access technique. During the HEWcontrol period, the master station 102 may communicate with HEW stations104 using one or more HEW frames. During the HEW control period, the HEWSTAs 104 may operate on a sub-channel smaller than the operating rangeof the master station 102. During the HEW control period, legacystations refrain from communicating. In accordance with someembodiments, during the master-sync transmission the HEW STAs 104 maycontend for the wireless medium with the legacy devices 106 beingexcluded from contending for the wireless medium during the master-synctransmission.

In some embodiments, the multiple-access technique used during the HEWcontrol period may be a scheduled OFDMA technique, although this is nota requirement. In some embodiments, the multiple access technique may bea TDMA technique or a frequency division multiple access (FDMA)technique. In some embodiments, the multiple access technique may be aSDMA technique.

The master station 102 may also communicate with legacy stations 106and/or HEW stations 104 in accordance with legacy IEEE 802.11communication techniques. In some embodiments, the master station 102may also be configurable to communicate with HEW stations 104 outsidethe HEW control period in accordance with legacy IEEE 802.11communication techniques, although this is not a requirement.

In example embodiments, the HEW device 104 and/or the master station 102are configured to perform the methods and functions herein described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-18.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method 200 of MU-RTS and MU-CTS in accordance withsome embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 2 is time 204 along a horizontalaxis and frequency 202 along a vertical axis. The method 200 may beginat operation 250 with the master station 102 transmitting in a MU-RTSphase 206. The master station 102 may transmit to one or more HEW STAs104 an indication of a request to transmit a CTS packet. The method 200may continue at operation 252 with the HEW STAs 104 transmitting in aMU-CTS phase 208. The MU-CTS phase 208 comprises one or more HEW STAs104 transmitting a MU-CTS. The method 200 may continue at operation 254with downlink (DL) MU-DATA 210 being transmitted by the master station102 to one or more HEW STAs 104. The one or more HEW STAs 104 thatreceive DL MU-DATA 210 may be a different set of HEW STAs 104 than theHEW STAs 104 that transmitted MU-CTSs in the MU-CTS phase 208. The oneor more HEW STAs 104 that receive DL MU-DATA 210 may be a different setof HEW STAs 104 than the HEW STAs 104 that were addressed in the MU-RTSphase 206 transmitted by the master station 102.

The method 200 may continue at operation 256 with the one or more HEWSTAs transmitting uplink multi-user acknowledgements (UL MU-ACKs) 212 tothe master station 102. The method 200 may end. In some embodiments oneor more operations may be repeated.

FIG. 3 illustrates methods of transmitting CTS responses in accordancewith some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 3 is time 304 along ahorizontal axis and frequency 302 along a vertical axis. The method 300illustrates a HEW STA 104 transmitting a CTS response 310 on multiple 20MHz channels 306. The CTS response 310 may be duplicated so that the CTSresponse 310.1 is the same as the CTS response 310.2 but transmitted ona different 20 MHz channel 306. The method 350 illustrates a HEW STA 104transmitting a CTS response 312 on four contiguous 20 MHz channels toform a 80 MHz channel 308. In some embodiments a different bandwidth maybe used for the 20 MHz channels 310 and/or 80 MHz channel 308. In someembodiments, the HEW STA 104 may be configured to transmit CTS responses310 that are different for the different 20 MHz channels 306. In someembodiments one of the 20 MHz channels 306 may be a primary channel. Forexample, 20 MHz channel 306.1 may be a primary channel.

In some embodiments, a HEW STA 104 and/or master station 102 may not beable to transmit CTS responses 310 on non-contiguous 20 MHz channel 306.For example, a HEW STA 104 may be limited in not being able to transmiton 20 MHz channel 306.1 and 20 MHz channel 306.3 simultaneously withoutalso transmitting on 20 MHz channel 306.2.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate methods of transmitting CTS responses in accordancewith some embodiments. Illustrated in FIGS. 4-7 is time 404 along ahorizontal axis and frequency 402 along a vertical axis. The frequency402 may comprise different channels. For example, as illustrated, thefrequency 402 comprises four 20 MHz channels 406. Different bandwidthsmay be used and a different number of channels may be used. One 20 MHzchannel 406 may be a primary channel, which, as illustrated, is 20 MHzchannel 406.1. One 20 MHz channel 406 may be a secondary channel, which,as illustrated, is 20 MHz channel 406.2.

The HEW STA 104 transmits CTS responses 410, 510, 610, 710. Asillustrated the CTS responses 410, 510, 610, 710 may be the same, but insome embodiments the CTS responses 410, 510, 610, 710 may be differentfor one or more of the channels.

FIG. 8 will be disclosed in conjunction with FIGS. 4-7. FIG. 8illustrates a method of transmitting CTS responses in accordance withsome embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 8 is time 404 along a horizontalaxis and frequency 402 along a vertical axis. A HEW STA 104 may performobservations of 20 MHz channels 406. The observation may include, forexample, a clear channel assessment, a busy condition, and/or a NAVcondition of the 20 MHz channel 406. Observations may determine that a20 MHz channel 406 is unavailable, available, or in some embodimentindeterminate. For example, as illustrated, 20 MHz channels 406.1,406.3, and 406.4 are available 802.1, 802.2, and 802.3, respectively. 20MHz channel 406.2 is unavailable 804. For example, the HEW STA 104 maydetermine that channel 406.2 has a NAV set to indicate not to transmiton 20 MHz channel 406.2, or the HEW STA 104 may perform a clear channelassessment and determine that the 20 MHz channel 406.2 is not clear.

In some embodiments, the HEW STA 104 does not know which 20 MHz channel406 the master station 102 is going to transmit packets to the HEW STA104. The HEW STA 104 may be responding to a RTS or MU-RTS. The HEW STA104 may periodically or in response to a RTS, MU-RTS, trigger frame, oranother packet, attempt to observe the 20 MHz channels 406.

In some embodiments the HEW STA 104 may transmit CTS responses 410, 510,610, 710 only on 20 MHz channels 406 that determined to be availablebased on an observation of the channel. In some embodiments the HEW STA104 may attempt to transmit CTS responses 410, 510, 610, 710 only on asmany 20 MHz channels 406 that the HEW STA 104 can based on observationsand based on constraints of the HEW STA 104, e.g. that the HEW STA 104may only be able to transmit on contiguous 20 MHz channels 406.

In some embodiments, the HEW STA 104 may be limited to only transmit oncontiguous 20 MHz channels 406. The HEW STA 104 may choose to transmitCTS responses 410, 510, 610, 710 on the largest contiguous bandwidth.For example, in FIG. 4, the HEW STA 104 may choose to transmit on 20 MHzchannels 406.2 and 406.3, with CTS response 410.1 and 410.2,respectively.

In some embodiments, the HEW STA 104 may be configured to transmit onthe primary 20 MHz channel 406.1, and may transmit on the largest numberof contiguous 20 MHz channels 406 that include the primary 20 MHzchannel 406.1. For example, in FIG. 5, the HEW STA 104 may transmit aCTS response 510.1 and 510.2, on the primary 20 MHz channel 406.1 and asecond 20 MHz channel 406.2, respectively. The HEW STA 104 may not havetransmitted on 20 MHz channel 406.3 because it may have beenunavailable. The HEW STA 104 may not have transmitted on 20 MHz channel406.4 because it was not contiguous with an available 20 MHz channel406.

In FIG. 6, the HEW STA 104 transmits CTS response 610.1 and 610.2 toinclude the primary 20 MHz channel 406. In FIG. 6, the HEW STA 104 isnot constrained to only transmit on contiguous 20 MHz channel 406.

In FIG. 7, the HEW STA 104 is not constrained to only transmit CTSresponses 710 on contiguous 20 MHz channels 406. The HEW STA 104 maytransmit CTS responses 710.1, 710.2, and 710.3 on 20 MHz channels 406.1,406.3, and 406.4, respectively. The HEW STA 104 may not transmit on 20MHz channel 406.2 because the observation may determine that the 20 MHzchannel 406.2 is unavailable.

In some embodiments, the HEW STA 104 may transmit CTS responses 410,510, 610, 710 on 20 MHz channels 406 where a CTS responses 410, 510,610, 710 is not needed (e.g., the master station 102 may not transmitdata on the 20 MHz channel 406), or the HEW STA 104 may not transmit aCTS response 410, 510, 610, 710 on a 20 MHz channel 406 that needs a CTSresponses 410, 510, 610, 710 (e.g., the 20 MHz channel 406 may beobserved as unavailable or the HEW STA 102 may be constrained to onlytransmit on contiguous 20 MHz channels 406 and not have selected a 20MHz channel 406 the master station 102 is going to use to send data tothe HEW STA 104).

FIG. 9 illustrates bandwidth indication signaling 900, 950 in accordancewith some embodiments. The bandwidth indication signaling 900 mayinclude a bandwidth 902 and a station(s) 904. The bandwidth 902 may bean indication of a bandwidth and station(s) 904 may be an indication ofone or more HEW stations 104. The bandwidth indication signaling 900,950 may be included in a packet from the master station 102 to one ormore HEW STAs 104 to indicate the bandwidth the master station 102intends to transmit on.

Bandwidth indication signaling 950 is an example of bandwidth indicationsignaling 900 for an 80 MHz bandwidth. Indication of primary 20 MHz band906 may be an indication of whether the primary 20 MHz band will beused. The list of stations 908, 912, 916, 920, may be an indication ofwhich stations should transmit a CTS on the corresponding band 906, 910,914, 918 if the band indicates the band will be used. The list ofstations 908, 912, 916, 920 may be an indication of which stations themaster station 102 intends to transmit data to on the correspondingindication of the band 906, 910, 914, 918.

Similarly, indication of secondary 20 MHz band 910, indication of upper20 MHz in secondary 40 MHz band, indication of lower 20 MHz in secondary40 MHz band, may be an indication of whether the secondary 20 MHz band,upper 20 MHz in secondary 40 MHz band, and of lower 20 MHz in secondary40 MHz band, respectively, will be used.

FIG. 10 illustrates of a method 1000 of transmitting CTSs in accordancewith some embodiments. The method 1000 may optionally begin at operation1002 with receiving bandwidth indication. For example, a HEW STA 104and/or master station 102 may receive bandwidth indication signaling900, 950.

The method 1000 may optionally continue at operation 1004 with observingchannels. For example, the HEW STA 104 may perform observations asdisclosed in conjunction with FIG. 8.

The method 1000 may continue at operation 1006 with determining on whichchannels to transmit CTSs. For example, the HEW STA 104 may determinewhether to transmit on a channel based on the observations. The HEW STA104 could transmit CTSs only on channels that are observed to beavailable. In some embodiments, the HEW STA 104 may only transmit onchannels indicated in the bandwidth indication signaling. In someembodiments, the HEW STA 104 may only transmit on channels indicated inthe bandwidth indication signaling and channels that are observed asavailable. In some embodiments, the HEW STA 104 may only transmit CTSson contiguous channels. In some embodiments, the HEW STA 104 may onlytransmit on channels indicated in the bandwidth indication signaling,channels that are observed as available, and contiguous channels. Ifthere are more than one contiguous 20 MHz bands, the HEW STA 104 maychoose do one or more of the following: choose the largest contiguouschannels, randomly select contiguous channels, choose the contiguouschannels that include the primary channel.

The method 1000 may continue. There is at least one channel to transmita CTS on, at operation 1010 transmitting CTSs on the determinedchannels. For example, the HEW STA 104 may determine which channels totransmit at operation 1008 and then transmit on the determined channelsat operation 1010. The HEW STA 104 may transmit separate CTS on eachchannel or may transmit a CTS with a bandwidth of two or more channels.At operation 1008, if there are no channels to transmit a CTS on, thenthe method 1000 may return to operation 1002. At operation 1010, themethod 1000 may return to operation 1002.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method for sending a trigger frame in accordancewith some embodiments. The method 1100 may begin at operation 1101 withgenerating an original allocation. For example, a master station 102 maygenerate an original allocation intended for a transmission opportunityfor one or more HEW STAs 104. The transmission opportunity may includean assignment of channels with HEW STAs 104 and a duration of thetransmission opportunity.

The method 1100 may optionally continue at operation 1102 with sending abandwidth availability trigger. For example the master station 102 maytransmit a bandwidth availability trigger 1206 as disclosed inconjunction with FIG. 12.

The method 1100 may optionally continue at operation 1103 with receivingbandwidth availability reports. For example, the master station 102 mayreceive bandwidth availability reports 1208 as disclosed in conjunctionwith FIG. 12.

The method 1100 may optionally continue at operation 1104 with sendMU-RTS? For example, the master station 102 may determine based on notreceiving or on the received bandwidth availability reports 1208 not tocontinue with a transmission opportunity and/or not to send MU-RTSs. Themethod 1100 may return to operation 1101 or end if the master station102 determines not to send an MU-RTS.

The method 1100 may continue at operation 1105 with sending MU-RTSs. Forexample, a master station 102 may send MU-RTSs as disclosed herein. Themaster station 102 may send the MU-RTS only on a primary channel or mayrepeat the MU-RTS on multiple channels. The master station 102 maydetermine which channels and/or which HEW stations 104 to send theMU-RTS for based on the received bandwidth availability reports. Forexample, the master station 102 may not send a MU-RTS for a channel thatis indicated as not available.

The method 1100 may continue at operation 1106 with receiving CTSresponses. For example, the master station 102 may receive any CTSresponses from the HEW stations 102. The master station 102 may decodeCTS responses on each 20 MHz channel. The master station 102 may receiveCTS responses on a bandwidth, e.g. 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz.

The method 1110 continues at operation 1108 with determining whether tochange the original allocation. For example the master station 102 maydetermine that there were no CTS responses on the primary channel. Themaster station 102 could determine to stop the transmission opportunityand send a contention free end (CF-end). The master station 102 coulddetermine to change the allocation on the primary channel and addadditional stations on the primary channel. The master station 102 mayprepare an additional packet for an additional HEW STA 104 beforesending the MU-RTS so that the packet is available to send immediately.The master station 102 could determine to transmit another frame thatwill fill the duration of the primary channel for the transmissionopportunity.

The master station 102 may determine to continue with the originalallocation even if there are no CTS responses on the primary channel. Insome embodiments, the master station 102 may determine to transmit aCF-end if there are no CTS responses on any of the channels. If themaster station 102 receives no CTS responses on the primary channel, butdoes receive one or more CTS responses on another channel, then themaster station 102 may determine to change the original allocation bychanging the allocation for the primary channel and optionally otherchannels where a CTS was not received. The master station 102 mayprepare contingency allocations. In some embodiments, the master station102 may transmit another frame on the primary channel if no CTS isreceived on the primary channel.

If the master station 102 observes no CTS responses on a given 20 MHzchannel, but does receive CTS responses on at least one channel, thenthe master station 102 may do the following. The master station 102 maychange the allocation for any channel where there is not a CTS response.The master station 102 may determine not to transmit on a channel wherea CTS response was not received. The master station 102 may determine totransmit on any channel where the master station 102 received a CTSresponse.

The method 1100 continues at operation 1110 with change originalallocation. If the master station 102 determines not to change theoriginal allocation, then the method 1100 continues at operation 1112with transmit the trigger frame with original allocation.

If the master station 102 determines to change the original allocationthen the method 1100 optionally continues at operation 1114 withdetermining whether to abort the TXOP. For example, if the masterstation 102 determines to abort the TXOP, then the method 1100 continuesat operation 1116 with aborting TXOP. For example, the master station102 could transmit a CF-end. If at operation 1114, the master station102 determines not to abort the TXOP, then the method 1100 continues atoperation 1118 with changing original allocation. For example, themaster station 102 may change the original allocation as describedabove, or in some embodiments the master station 102 may create a newallocation. In some embodiments the master station 102 may generate anallocation that has contingencies for each channel.

The method 1100 may continue at operation 1120 with transmitting inaccordance with new allocation. For example, the master station 102 maychange the original allocation and transmit a trigger frame with a newallocation. In some embodiments the original allocation may have beentransmitted and the master station 102 may simply transmit with adifferent allocation than the original allocation with sending a newallocation. The method 1100 may end.

In some embodiments the master station 102 only has SIFS time afterreceiving the CTS responses to change the original allocation. In someembodiments the master station 102 cannot differentiate the CTSresponses from the HEW STAs 104. For example, in some embodiments, theCTS responses do not include a transmitter address. In other example,the CTS responses may interfere with one another.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method 1200 for a bandwidth availability report inaccordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 12 is time 1204along a horizontal axis and frequency 1202 along a vertical axis. Themethod 1200 may begin at operation 1250 with transmitting a bandwidthavailability trigger 1206. For example, the master station 102 maytransmit a bandwidth availability trigger 1206 to multiple HEW STAs 104.In some embodiments, HEW STAs 104 and resource allocations for responsesare indicated in the bandwidth availability trigger 1206. In someembodiments the bandwidth availability trigger 1206 may be termed abandwidth poll. The bandwidth availability trigger 1206 may include atotal bandwidth indication. The bandwidth availability trigger 1206 maybe combined with another packet. The bandwidth availability trigger 1206may be transmitted on multiple channels. The bandwidth availabilitytrigger 1206 may include an indication of HEW STAs 104 and a resourceallocation for the bandwidth availability report 1208. For example, theresource allocation may indicate a channel of 5 MHz for the HEW STA 104to transmit the bandwidth availability report 1208 on.

The method 1200 may continue at operation 1252 with one or more HEW STAs104 transmitting a bandwidth availability report 1208. The HEW STAs 104may transmit the bandwidth availability report according to resourceallocations indicated in the bandwidth availability trigger 1206.Bandwidth availability reports 1400 and 1450 are examples of bandwidthavailability reports 1208 and are describe in conjunction with FIG. 14.In some embodiments, e.g. as described in conjunction with FIG. 15, thebandwidth availability report 1208 may only include a legacy preambleand high-efficiency (HE) preamble that is transmitted in accordance witha resource allocation in the bandwidth availability trigger 1206. Themethod 1200 may end.

FIG. 13 illustrates a method 1300 for a bandwidth availability report inaccordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 13 is time 1304along a horizontal axis and frequency 1302 along a vertical axis. Thereare two 20 MHz channels 1306.1 and 1306.2 illustrates although more orfewer channels may be signaled.

The method 1300 begins at operation 1350 with the master station 102transmitting bandwidth availability trigger 1308.1 and 1308.2. Thebandwidth availability triggers 1308 may include an indication of fourHEW STAs 104 as well as a resource allocation which may be a sub-channelfor each of the HEW STAs 104 to transmit the bandwidth availabilityreport 1314 on.

The method 1300 continues at operation 1352 with common legacy preambleby STA 1 and STA 2 1310.1 and common legacy preamble by STA 4 1310.2.STA 1, STA 2, STA 3, and STA 4 may be HEW STAs 104. STA 1, STA 2, andSTA 4 transmitted a common legacy preamble in accordance with a resourceallocation in the bandwidth availability triggers 1308. STA 3 did notresponse despite being indicated in the bandwidth availability triggers1308.1 and 1308.2. STA 3 may not have received the bandwidthavailability triggers 1308.

Other HEW STAs 104 may have received the bandwidth availability triggers1308, but may not have responded because they were not indicated in thebandwidth availability triggers 1308.

The method 1300 may continue at operation 1354 with HEW STAs 104transmitting HE-preamble by STA 1 1312.1, HE-preamble by STA 2, andHE-preamble by STA 4 1310.2. STA 1 may be transmit HE-preamble by STA 11312.1 in accordance with a resource allocation in bandwidthavailability trigger 1308.1. STA 2 may be transmit HE-preamble by STA 21312.2 in accordance with a resource allocation in bandwidthavailability trigger 1308.1. STA 4 may be transmit HE-preamble by STA 41312.3 in accordance with a resource allocation in bandwidthavailability trigger 1308.1.

The method 1300 continues at operation 1356 with HEW STAs 104transmitting bandwidth availability report by STA 1 1314.1, bandwidthavailability report by STA 2 1314.2, and bandwidth availability reportby STA 4 1314.3. For example, STA 1 may transmit a bandwidthavailability report (e.g., 1400, 1450) in accordance with the resourceallocation in bandwidth availability trigger 1308.1. STA 2 may transmita bandwidth availability report (e.g., 1400, 1450) in accordance withthe resource allocation in bandwidth availability trigger 1308.1. STA 4may transmit a bandwidth availability report (e.g., 1400, 1450) inaccordance with the resource allocation in bandwidth availabilitytrigger 1308.1. The method 1300 may end.

FIG. 14 illustrates examples of a bandwidth availability report 1400,1450 in accordance with some embodiments. The bandwidth availabilityreport 1400 may include an indication of band 1402 and indication ofavailability 1404. The bandwidth availability report 1450 is anotherexample of a bandwidth availability report. For example, the indicationof band 1402 may indicate the report is for 80 MHz. For example,indication of band 1406 indicates an 80 MHz band. In some embodimentsthe indication of band 1402 may be implied by a communication standardor indicated in a bandwidth availability trigger (e.g., 1206).

The indication of availability 1404 may be a bit map of channelavailability. For example, 1408 indicates a 1 that may indicate that theprimary channel is available. 1410 may indicate that a secondary 20 MHzchannel is not available. 1412 may indicate that an upper 20 MHz in thelower 40 MHz is not available. 1414 may indicate that a lower 20 MHz inthe lower 40 MHz is available.

FIG. 15 illustrates a method 1500 for a bandwidth availability report inaccordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 15 is time 1504along a horizontal axis and frequency 1502 along a vertical axis. Thereare two 20 MHz channels 1506.1 and 1506.2 illustrates although more orfewer channels may be signaled.

The method 1500 begins at operation 1550 with the master station 102transmitting bandwidth availability trigger 1508.1 and 1508.2. Thebandwidth availability triggers 1508 may include an indication of fourHEW STAs 104 (STA 1, STA 2, STA 3, and STA 4) as well as a resourceallocation which may be a sub-channel for each of the HEW STAs 104 totransmit the bandwidth availability report 1314 on. The STAs may be HEWSTAs 104.

The method 1500 continues at operation 1552 with common legacy preambleby STA 1 and STA 2 1510.1 and common legacy preamble by STA 4 1510.2.STA 1, STA 2, and STA 4 transmitted a common legacy preamble inaccordance with a resource allocation in the bandwidth availabilitytriggers 1508. STA 3 did not response despite being indicated in thebandwidth availability triggers 1508.1 and 1508.2. STA 3 may not havereceived the bandwidth availability triggers 1508.

Other HEW STAs 104 may have received the bandwidth availability triggers1508, but may not have responded because they were not indicated in thebandwidth availability triggers 1508.

The method 1500 continues at operation 1554 with STA 1, STA 2, and STA 3transmitting HE-preamble by STA 1 1512.1, HE-preamble by STA 2, andHE-preamble by STA 4 1512.3, respectively. The master station 102 mayinterpret the HE-preamble being transmitted in accordance with theresource allocation indicated in bandwidth availability triggers 1508 asan indication that the channels are available. STA 3 not transmitting aHE-preamble on sub-channel 1 and sub-channel 2 of 20 MHz 1506.2 mayindicate that STA 3 did not receive the bandwidth availability triggers1508 or that the channels indicated in the bandwidth availabilitytrigger 1508 for STA 3 are not available. The master station 102 mayinterpret the responses form the STAs and determine resource allocationsbased on the responses. The method 1500 may end.

FIG. 16 illustrates a bandwidth availability report 1608 in accordancewith some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 16 is time 1604 along ahorizontal axis and frequency 1602 along a vertical axis. The masterstation 102 may transmit a bandwidth availability trigger 1606 asdisclosed herein. The master station 102 may set NAV 1612 to extend pastthe bandwidth availability reports 1608 and have a duration that laststo or past a MU-RTS 1610.

FIG. 17 illustrates that the bandwidth availability trigger 1714 may betransmitted after the MU-RTS 1710 in accordance with some embodiments.The master station 102 may transmit a MU-RTS 1710 to one or more HEWSTAs 104. One or more HEW STAs 104 may responds with CTSs 1712. Themaster station 102 may then transmit the bandwidth availability trigger1714. The HEW STAs 104 may then respond with bandwidth availabilityreports 1716. In alternative embodiments, the bandwidth availabilitytrigger 1714 may be transmitted before the MU-RTS 1710.

FIG. 18 illustrates a HEW station 1800 in accordance with someembodiments. HEW station 1800 may be a HEW compliant device that may bearranged to communicate with one or more other HEW stations, such as HEWstations 104 (FIG. 1) or master station 102 (FIG. 1) as well ascommunicate with legacy devices 106 (FIG. 1). The HEW station 1800 maybe a master station 102 or access point. HEW stations 104 and legacydevices 106 may also be referred to as HEW devices and legacy stations(STAs), respectively. HEW station 1800 may be suitable for operating asaccess point 102 (FIG. 1) or an HEW station 104 (FIG. 1). In accordancewith embodiments, HEW station 1800 may include, among other things, atransmit/receive element 1801 (for example an antenna), a transceiver1802, physical layer (PHY) circuitry 1804, and medium-access controllayer circuitry (MAC) 1806. PHY 1804 and MAC 1806 may be HEW compliantlayers and may also be compliant with one or more legacy IEEE 802.11standards.

MAC 1806 may be arranged to configure physical protocol data units(PPDUs) and arranged to transmit and receive PPDUs, among other things.HEW station 1800 may also include other circuitry 1808 and memory 1810configured to perform the various operations described herein. Thecircuitry 1808 may be coupled to the transceiver 1802, which may becoupled to the transmit/receive element 1801. While FIG. 18 depicts thecircuitry 1808 and the transceiver 1802 as separate components, thecircuitry 1808 and the transceiver 1802 may be integrated together in anelectronic package or chip.

In some embodiments, the MAC 1806 may be arranged to contend for awireless medium during a contention period to receive control of themedium for the HEW control period and configure an HEW PPDU. In someembodiments, the MAC 1806 may be arranged to contend for the wirelessmedium based on channel contention settings, a transmitting power level,and a clear channel assessment (CCA) level.

The PHY 1804 may be arranged to transmit the HEW PPDU. The PHY 1804 mayinclude circuitry for modulation/demodulation,upconversion/downconversion, filtering, amplification, etc. In someembodiments, the circuitry 1808 may include one or more processors. Thecircuitry 1808 may be configured to perform functions based oninstructions being stored in a RAM or ROM, or based on special purposecircuitry.

In some embodiments, the circuitry 1808 may be configured to perform oneor more of the functions described herein in conjunction with FIGS. 1-18and disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, two or more antennas 1801 may be coupled to the PHY1804 and arranged for sending and receiving signals includingtransmission of the HEW packets. The HEW station 1800 may include atransceiver 1802 to transmit and receive data such as HEW PPDU andpackets that include an indication that the HEW station 1800 shouldadapt the channel contention settings according to settings included inthe packet. The memory 1810 may store information for configuring theother circuitry to perform operations for configuring and transmittingHEW packets and performing the various operations described herein inconjunction with FIGS. 1-18.

In some embodiments, the HEW station 1800 may be configured tocommunicate using OFDM communication signals over a multicarriercommunication channel. In some embodiments, HEW station 1800 may beconfigured to communicate in accordance with one or more specificcommunication standards, such as the Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) standards including IEEE 802.11-2012,802.11n-2009, 802.1ac-2013, 802.11ax, DensiFi, standards and/or proposedspecifications for WLANs, or other standards as described in conjunctionwith FIG. 1, although the scope of the disclosed embodiments is notlimited in this respect as they may also be suitable to transmit and/orreceive communications in accordance with other techniques andstandards. In some embodiments, the HEW station 1800 may use 4× symbolduration of 802.11n or 802.11ac.

In some embodiments, an HEW station 1800 may be part of a portablewireless communication device, such as a personal digital assistant(PDA), a laptop or portable computer with wireless communicationcapability, a web tablet, a wireless telephone, a smartphone, a wirelessheadset, a pager, an instant messaging device, a digital camera, anaccess point 102, a television, a medical device (e.g., a heart ratemonitor, a blood pressure monitor, etc.), a base station, atransmit/receive device for a wireless standard such as 802.11 or802.16, or other device that may receive and/or transmit informationwirelessly. In some embodiments, the mobile device may include one ormore of a keyboard, a display, a non-volatile memory port, multipleantennas 1801, a graphics processor, an application processor, speakers,and other mobile device elements. The display may be an LCD screenincluding a touch screen.

The antennas 1801 may comprise one or more directional oromnidirectional antennas, including, for example, dipole antennas,monopole antennas, patch antennas, loop antennas, microstrip antennas orother types of antennas suitable for transmission of RF signals. In somemultiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) embodiments, the antennas 1801 maybe effectively separated to take advantage of spatial diversity and thedifferent channel characteristics that may result.

Although the device 1800 is illustrated as having several separatefunctional elements, one or more of the functional elements may becombined and may be implemented by combinations of software-configuredelements, such as processing elements including digital signalprocessors (DSPs), and/or other hardware elements. For example, someelements may comprise one or more microprocessors, DSPs,field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) andcombinations of various hardware and logic circuitry for performing atleast the functions described herein. In some embodiments, thefunctional elements may refer to one or more processes operating on oneor more processing elements.

Some embodiments may be implemented fully or partially in softwareand/or firmware. This software and/or firmware may take the form ofinstructions contained in or on a non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium. Those instructions may then be read and executed by oneor more processors to enable performance of the operations describedherein. Those instructions may then be read and executed by one or moreprocessors to cause the device 1800 to perform the methods and/oroperations described herein. The instructions may be in any suitableform, such as but not limited to source code, compiled code, interpretedcode, executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. Such acomputer-readable medium may include any tangible non-transitory mediumfor storing information in a form readable by one or more computers,such as but not limited to read only memory (ROM); random access memory(RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; a flashmemory, etc.

The following examples pertain to further embodiments. Example 1 is anapparatus of a high-efficiency wireless local-area network (HEW) masterstation. The apparatus including processing circuitry configured togenerate a packet to indicate a multi-user request-to-send (MU-RTS) andto indicate one or more channels on which one or more HEW stations areto transmit a clear-to-send (CTS). And the apparatus including atransceiver configured to transmit the packet to the one or more HEWstations, and receive CTS responses to the packet on the one or morechannels.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally includewhere the processing circuitry is further configured to generate thepacket to indicate one or more channels on which one or more HEWstations are to transmit a CTS and for each of the one or more channelsan indication of which of the one or more HEW stations are to transmitthe CTS.

In Example 3, the subject matter of Examples 1 or 2 can optionallyinclude where the processing circuitry is further configured to generatean allocation for the one or more channels to be used for a transmissionopportunity based on the clear-to-send responses.

In Example 4, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-3 can optionallyinclude where the processing circuitry is further configured todetermine to abort a transmission opportunity based on the CTSresponses, and the transceiver is configured to transmit a contentionfree end (CF-end) packet.

In Example 5, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-4 can optionallyinclude where the channels are one from the following group: a 20 MHzbandwidth, a 5 MHz bandwidth, a 10 MHz bandwidth, a 2.5 MHz bandwidth, a40 MHz bandwidth, an 80 MHz bandwidth, a 160 MHz bandwidth, and a 320MHz bandwidth.

In Example 6, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-5 can optionallyinclude where the transceiver is further configured to transmit abandwidth availability trigger to the one or more HEW stations, andreceive bandwidth availability reports in response to the bandwidthavailability trigger from the one or more HEW stations, where thebandwidth availability reports indicate channel available from one ormore of the one or more HEW stations for one or more of the one or morechannels.

In Example 7, the subject matter of Example 6 can optionally includewhere the processing circuitry is further configured to determine anallocation for a transmission opportunity based on the bandwidthavailability reports; and transmit a second packet comprising theallocation.

In Example 8, the subject matter of Example 6 can optionally includewhere the bandwidth availability trigger comprises an indication of achannel and an indication of one or more of the one or more HEWstations.

In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 6 can optionally includewhere the processing circuitry is further configure to generate thepacket to indicate a MU-RTS and to indicate one or more channels onwhich one or more HEW stations are to transmit a CTS, where the one ormore channels and one or more HEW stations are selected by the masterstation based on the bandwidth availability reports.

In Example 10, the subject matter of Example 6 can optionally includewhere the bandwidth availability trigger further comprises a resourceallocation that indicates a channel on which the one or more HEWstations are to transmit the bandwidth available reports.

In Example 11, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-10 can optionallyinclude where the CTS responses are received in accordance with at leastone from the following group: orthogonal frequency division multipleaccess (OFDMA) multiple-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO),and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM).

In Example 12, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-11 can optionallyinclude memory coupled to the processing circuitry.

In Example 13, the subject matter of Example 12 can optionally includeone or more antennas coupled to the circuitry.

Example 14 is a method performed by a high-efficiency wirelesslocal-area network (HEW) master station. The method may includegenerating a packet to indicate a multi-user request-to-send (MU-RTS)and to indicate one or more channels on which one or more HEW stationsare to transmit a clear-to-send (CTS), transmitting the packet to theone or more HEW stations. The method may also include receiving CTSresponses to the packet on the one or more channels.

In Example 15, the subject matter of Example 14 can optionally includegenerating the packet to indicate one or more channels on which one ormore HEW stations are to transmit a CTS and for each of the one or morechannels an indication of which of the one or more HEW stations are totransmit the CTS.

In Example 16, the subject matter of Example 14 or 15 can optionallyinclude generating an allocation for the one or more channels to be usedfor a transmission opportunity based on the CTS responses, andtransmitting a second packet with the allocation for the one or morechannels.

In Example 17, the subject matter of any of Examples 14-16 canoptionally include where the channels are one from the following group:a 20 MHz bandwidth, a 5 MHz bandwidth, a 10 MHz bandwidth, a 2.5 MHzbandwidth, a 40 MHz bandwidth, an 80 MHz bandwidth, a 160 MHz bandwidth,and a 320 MHz bandwidth.

In Example 18, the subject matter of any of Examples 14-17 canoptionally include transmitting a bandwidth availability trigger to theone or more HEW stations, and receiving bandwidth availability reportsin response to the bandwidth availability trigger from the one or moreHEW stations, where the bandwidth availability reports indicate channelavailable from one or more of the one or more HEW stations for one ormore of the one or more channels.

Example 19 is an apparatus of a high-efficiency wireless local-areanetwork (HEW) station, the apparatus including circuitry configured toreceive a packet that indicates a multi-user request-to-send and thatindicates one or more channels on which the HEW station is to transmit aclear-to-send (CTS), and determine whether to send the CTS on the one ormore channels based on at least one of the follow conditions: if amedium busy condition for the channel of the one or more channelsindicates the channel is not busy, a network allocation vector indicatesthe channel is not busy, and whether a primary channel of an operatingchannel is occupied. The circuitry may be further configured to transmitthe CTS on at least one channel of the one or more channels, if it isdetermined to send the CTS on the at least one channel of the one ormore channels.

In Example 20, the subject matter of Example 19 can optionally includewhere the circuitry is configured to transmit the CTS on at least onechannel in accordance with a minimum bandwidth of 20 MHz.

In Example 21, the subject matter of Example 19 or 20 can optionallyinclude where the circuitry is further configured to receive a bandwidthavailability trigger from a master station, and transmit to the masterstation a bandwidth availability report that indicates available of oneor more of the one or more channels.

In Example 22, the subject matter of any of Examples 19-21 canoptionally include where the CTS is transmitted in accordance with atleast one from the following group: orthogonal frequency divisionmultiple access (OFDMA), multiple-user multiple-input multiple-output(MU-MIMO), and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM).

In Example 23, the subject matter of any of Examples 19-22 canoptionally include memory coupled to the circuitry; and, one or moreantennas coupled to the circuitry.

In Example 24 is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium thatstores instructions for execution by one or more processors, theinstructions to configure the one or more processors to cause ahigh-efficiency wireless local-area network (HEW) master station to:generate a packet to indicate a multi-user request-to-send (MU-RTS) andto indicate one or more channels on which one or more HEW stations areto transmit a clear-to-send (CTS); transmit the packet to the one ormore HEW stations, and receive clear-to-send responses to the packet onthe one or more channels.

In Example 25, the subject matter of Example 24 can optionally includewhere the instructions are to further configure the one or moreprocessors to cause the HEW master station to: generate the packet toindicate one or more channels on which one or more HEW stations are totransmit a CTS and for each of the one or more channels an indication ofwhich of the one or more HEW stations are to transmit the CTS.

Example 26 is an apparatus of a high-efficiency wireless local-areanetwork (HEW) master station. The apparatus including means forgenerating a packet to indicate a multi-user request-to-send (MU-RTS)and to indicate one or more channels on which one or more HEW stationsare to transmit a clear-to-send (CTS); and means for transmitting thepacket to the one or more HEW stations. The apparatus may include meansfor receiving CTS responses to the packet on the one or more channels.

In Example 27, the subject matter of Example 26 can optionally includemeans for generating the packet to indicate one or more channels onwhich one or more HEW stations are to transmit a CTS and for each of theone or more channels an indication of which of the one or more HEWstations are to transmit the CTS.

In Example 28, the subject matter of any of Examples 26 or 27 canoptionally include means for generating an allocation for the one ormore channels to be used for a transmission opportunity based on theclear-to-send responses.

In Example 29, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-28 canoptionally include means for aborting a transmission opportunity basedon the CTS responses; and the transceiver is configured to transmit acontention free end (CF-end) packet.

In Example 30, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-29 canoptionally include where the channels are one from the following group:a 20 MHz bandwidth, a 5 MHz bandwidth, a 10 MHz bandwidth, a 2.5 MHzbandwidth, a 40 MHz bandwidth, an 80 MHz bandwidth, a 160 MHz bandwidth,and a 320 MHz bandwidth.

In Example 31, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-30 canoptionally include means for transmitting a bandwidth availabilitytrigger to the one or more HEW stations; and means for receivingbandwidth availability reports in response to the bandwidth availabilitytrigger from the one or more HEW stations, wherein the bandwidthavailability reports indicate channel available from one or more of theone or more HEW stations for one or more of the one or more channels.

In Example 32, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-31 canoptionally include means for determining an allocation for atransmission opportunity based on the bandwidth availability reports;and transmit a second packet comprising the allocation.

In Example 33, the subject matter of any of Examples 19-21 canoptionally include where the bandwidth availability trigger comprises anindication of a channel and an indication of one or more of the one ormore HEW stations.

In Example 34, the subject matter of Example 26 can optionally includemeans for generating the packet to indicate a MU-RTS and to indicate oneor more channels on which one or more HEW stations are to transmit aCTS, wherein the one or more channels and one or more HEW stations areselected by the master station based on the bandwidth availabilityreports.

In Example 35, the subject matter of Example 26 can optionally includewhere the bandwidth availability trigger further comprises a resourceallocation that indicates a channel on which the one or more HEWstations are to transmit the bandwidth available reports.

In Example 36, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-35 canoptionally include where the CTS responses are received in accordancewith at least one from the following group: orthogonal frequencydivision multiple access (OFDMA) multiple-user multiple-inputmultiple-output (MU-MIMO), and orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing (OFDM).

In Example 37, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-36 canoptionally include memory coupled to the processing circuitry.

In Example 38, the subject matter of Example 37 can optionally includeone or more antennas coupled to the circuitry.

Example 39 is an apparatus of a high-efficiency wireless local-areanetwork (HEW) station. The apparatus including means for receiving apacket that indicates a multi-user request-to-send and that indicatesone or more channels on which the HEW station is to transmit aclear-to-send (CTS), and means for determining whether to send the CTSon the one or more channels based on at least one of the followconditions: if a medium busy condition for the channel of the one ormore channels indicates the channel is not busy, a network allocationvector indicates the channel is not busy, and whether a primary channelof an operating channel is occupied. The apparatus may include means fortransmitting the CTS on at least one channel of the one or morechannels, if it is determined to send the CTS on the at least onechannel of the one or more channels.

In Example 40 the subject matter of Example 39 may optionally includemeans for transmitting the CTS on at least one channel in accordancewith a minimum bandwidth of 20 MHz.

In Example 41, the subject matter of Examples 38 or 39 can optionallyinclude means for receiving a bandwidth availability trigger from amaster station; and means for transmitting to the master station abandwidth availability report that indicates available of one or more ofthe one or more channels.

In Example 42, the subject matter of any of Examples 39-41 canoptionally include where the CTS is transmitted in accordance with atleast one from the following group: orthogonal frequency divisionmultiple access (OFDMA), multiple-user multiple-input multiple-output(MU-MIMO), and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM).

In Example 43, the subject matter of any of Examples 39-42 canoptionally include memory coupled to the circuitry; and, one or moreantennas coupled to the circuitry.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scopeor meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporatedinto the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus of a high-efficiency (HE) accesspoint (AP), the apparatus comprising: memory; and, processing circuitrycoupled to the memory, the processing circuitry configured to: encode apacket to indicate a multi-user request-to-send (MU-RTS) and to indicatefor each of two or more channels an indication of which of two or moreHE stations are to transmit a clear-to-send (CTS), wherein the two ormore channels comprise at least two of a primary 20 MHz channel, asecondary 20 MHz channel, primary 40 MHz channel, and secondary 40 MHzchannel; configure the HE AP to transmit the packet to the indicated HEstations; and decode CTS responses to the packet on the two or morechannels, wherein the CTS responses are to be received simultaneously inaccordance with orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA).2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to encode an allocation for the two or more channels to beused for a transmission opportunity based on the clear-to-sendresponses.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitryis further configured to determine to: abort a transmission opportunitybased on the CTS responses; and, transmit a contention free end (CF-end)packet.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the two or morechannels are one from a following group: a 20 MHz bandwidth, a 5 MHzbandwidth, a 10 MHz bandwidth, a 2.5 MHz bandwidth, a 40 MHz bandwidth,an 80 MHz bandwidth, a 160 MHz bandwidth, and a 320 MHz bandwidth. 5.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is further configuredto: configure the HE AP to transmit a bandwidth availability trigger tothe one or more HE stations; and decode bandwidth availability reportsin response to the bandwidth availability trigger from the one or moreHE stations, wherein the bandwidth availability reports indicate channelavailable from one or more of the one or more HE stations for one ormore of the two or more channels.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, whereinthe processing circuitry is further configured to: determine anallocation for a transmission opportunity based on the bandwidthavailability reports; and configure the HE AP to transmit a secondpacket comprising the allocation.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, whereinthe bandwidth availability trigger comprises an indication of a channeland an indication of one or more of the two or more HE stations.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigure to: encode the packet to indicate a MU-RTS and to indicate oneor more channels on which one or more HE stations are to transmit a CTS,wherein the one or more channels and one or more HE stations areselected by the master station based on the bandwidth availabilityreports.
 9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the bandwidth availabilitytrigger further comprises a resource allocation that indicates a channelon which the one or more HE stations are to transmit the bandwidthavailable reports.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CTSresponses are received in accordance with at least one from a followinggroup: multiple-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) andorthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM).
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising transceiver circuitry coupled to theprocessing circuitry.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprisingone or more antennas coupled to the transceiver circuitry.
 13. A methodperformed by an apparatus of a high-efficiency (HE) access point (AP),the method comprising: encoding a packet to indicate a multi-userrequest-to-send (MU-RTS) and to indicate for each of two or morechannels an indication of which of two or more HE stations are totransmit a clear-to-send (CTS), wherein the two or more channelscomprise at least two of a primary 20 MHz channel, a secondary 20 MHzchannel, primary 40 MHz channel, and secondary 40 MHz channel;configuring the HE AP to transmit the packet to the indicated HEstations; and decoding CTS responses to the packet on the two or morechannels, wherein the CTS responses are to be received simultaneously inaccordance with orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA).14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: encoding an allocationfor the two or more channels to be used for a transmission opportunitybased on the CTS responses; and transmitting a second packet with theallocation for the one or more channels.
 15. The method of claim 13,wherein each of the two or more channels are one from a following group:a 20 MHz bandwidth, a 5 MHz bandwidth, a 10 MHz bandwidth, a 2.5 MHzbandwidth, a 40 MHz bandwidth, an 80 MHz bandwidth, a 160 MHz bandwidth,and a 320 MHz bandwidth.
 16. The method of claim 13, the method furthercomprising: configuring the HE AP to transmit a bandwidth availabilitytrigger to the one or more HEW stations; and decoding bandwidthavailability reports in response to the bandwidth availability triggerfrom the one or more HEW stations, wherein the bandwidth availabilityreports indicate channel available from one or more of the one or moreHEW stations for one or more of the two or more channels.
 17. Anapparatus of a high-efficiency (HE) station, the apparatus comprising:memory; and, processing circuitry couple to the memory, the processingcircuitry configured to: decode a packet that indicates a multi-userrequest-to-send and that indicates for each of two or more channels anindication of whether the HE station is to transmit a clear-to-send(CTS); determine whether to transmit the CTS on each channel of the twoor more channels where the indication indicates that the HE station isto transmit the CTS on a channel of the two or more channels based on atleast one of the follow conditions: if a medium busy condition for thechannel the channel is not busy, if a network allocation vectorindicates the channel is not busy, and if a primary channel of anoperating channel is occupied, wherein the two or more channels comprisetwo or more of the following group: a primary 20 MHz channel, asecondary 20 MHz channel, primary 40 MHz channel, and secondary 40 MHzchannel; and configure the HE station to transmit in accordance withorthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) the CTS apredetermined time after the packet is received on each channel wherethe determination is to transmit the CTS.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17,wherein the processing circuitry is configured to transmit the CTS on atleast one channel in accordance with a minimum bandwidth of 20 MHz. 19.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to: decode a bandwidth availability trigger from a HE accesspoint (AP); and configure the HE AP to transmit to the master station abandwidth availability report that indicates available of one or more ofthe one or more channels.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the CTSis transmitted in accordance with at least one from a following group:multiple-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) and orthogonalfrequency division multiplexing (OFDM).
 21. The apparatus of claim 17,further comprising transceiver circuitry coupled to the processingcircuitry; and, one or more antennas coupled to the transceivercircuitry.
 22. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium thatstores instructions for execution by one or more processors of anapparatus of a high-efficiency (HE) access point (AP), the instructionsto configure the one or more processors to: encode a packet to indicatea multi-user request-to-send (MU-RTS) and to indicate for each of two ormore channels an indication of which of two or more HE stations are totransmit a clear-to-send (CTS), wherein the two or more channelscomprise at least two of a primary 20 MHz channel, a secondary 20 MHzchannel, primary 40 MHz channel, and secondary 40 MHz channel; configurethe HE AP to transmit the packet to the indicated HE stations; anddecode CTS responses to the packet on the two or more channels, whereinthe CTS responses are to be received simultaneously in accordance withorthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA).
 23. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the memory is configured to store the packet. 24.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the memory is configured to store thepacket.